Total synthesis of (-)-saliniketals A and B.

A stereocontrolled total synthesis of the orthinine decarboxylase inhibitors saliniketals A and B is described. Key features of the 17-step route include the use of two boron aldol/reduction sequences to control six of the nine stereocenters, an intramolecular Wacker-type cyclization to install the bicyclic acetal core, and a late-stage Stille coupling to append the requisite (2 Z,4 E)-dienamide.